Raising Revenue in All the Wrong Ways

Re “Davis’ Borrowing Spree,” editorial, Jan. 14: Ah, now I get it.

Gov. Gray Davis will not raise taxes; however, he will raise fees. Isn’t that great. You can deduct taxes from your federal return. Fees you just get to pay. What a deal.

Marilynn Dierker

Woodland Hills

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The states should increase income taxes. These taxes are deductible from the federal taxes, so there would be no net effect on the taxpayer. Taxpayers would welcome having the control of their taxes closer to home. As long as the federal government is chasing schemes like missile defense, our money would be more responsibly used by the states.

Jane Hirsch

Pacific Palisades

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Re “Budget Cuts Hit Poor the Hardest,” Jan. 13: Since the middle class and the rich pay almost all the taxes, this headline should have read, “Middle Class and Rich Are Given No Tax Relief From Excessive Government Spending.”

Laurence F. Almond

Los Angeles

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Let’s see, we’re in a state that has the dubious distinction of having one of the greatest income disparities between rich and poor. Our high cost of housing has placed us third in the nation, after New York and Hawaii, in having the smallest percentage of homeowners. Now, Gov. Davis has targeted his deepest cuts at some of California’s most vulnerable residents, from welfare recipients to low-income working parents to the mentally ill.

Just as CalWORKS is getting people off the welfare rolls, let’s just kick them not only down but out. Brilliant. The very possible increase in crime born from despair can then fill the prisons. Another stroke of genius. The state will no longer be desperate for affordable housing. I think we’re in the Twilight Zone.

Eileen McDargh

Dana Point